Asher's curiosity got the better of him as he looked at the door behind the shelves of Morphix eggs. "Can I see what's behind that door?" he asked, excitement bubbling up inside him.
The representative, now accustomed to Asher's questions, nodded. "Sure, I can show you." He walked over to the door, entered the passcode, and with a soft click, the door swung open.
Inside, the room was surprisingly spacious, filled with a chaotic mix of eggs piled on top of one another, without any clear organization. Asher stepped in, Lunabloom right beside him, eyes wide with wonder. The representative explained, "These eggs are the ones that didn't quite make the cut. They might have some defects, but they're still valuable in their own way."
The representative smiled at them, "Welcome to the rejected Morphix egg storage," the representative explained. "They're usually donated to orphanages or homes for the elderly as companions as I said earlier."
Asher moved closer to the piles, his heart racing with anticipation. Among the jumbled eggs, he spotted one with a striking red hue. He gently picked it up, feeling its warmth against his palms. This was the first Morphix egg he had ever held, and as he cradled it, information suddenly appeared before him: '
[Emberwing (Unstable)]
Type: Fire
Gender: ?
Potential: Green
Ability: ?
Level: Egg
Skills: ?
Asher blinked in astonishment. Earlier, when he looked at other eggs outside, he hadn't seen any information. Now, the data was right there in front of him, crystal clear. His Insight skill was working perfectly!
Earlier he didn't dare to touch any Morphix eggs, he just strolled to look for a potential egg that he would sell so the screen didn't pop out. Asher thought his Insight skill would work like how it works on Morphix, he just needs to look at the Morphix and think about their data and the screen will show up, but for the eggs, he needs to have direct contact with it.
"The Insight skill requires contact with the Morphix egg to activate," the system explained in his mind. "You must establish a connection."
Asher nodded, putting Emberwing down carefully. He then picked up another deep blue egg reminiscent of the ocean. As he held it, the data for this egg materialized:
[Aqually (Unstable)]
Type: Water
Gender: ?
Potential: Green
Ability: ?
Level: Egg
Skills: ?
Asher grinned, feeling a rush of excitement. "Two eggs already! I didn't expect to find anything like this here."
The representative, unaware of what Asher was experiencing, continued explaining. "These eggs may not have been suitable for trainers, but they still hold potential for other purposes."
Asher nodded, still absorbed in the possibilities of what he could find. "Can I look at more eggs?" he asked, eager to see what other surprises awaited him.
"Of course," the representative replied, stepping aside. "Feel free to explore."
With Lunabloom beside him, Asher delved deeper into the piles of eggs, each one more intriguing than the last.
Asher continued experimenting with his Insight skill, examining one egg after another. The eggs in this room varied in potential; many were White, with only a few showing the rarer Green and Blue potentials. Still, Asher was fascinated by the variety and continued to enjoy his exploration.
Suddenly, he noticed an odd-looking egg with a light green hue. It was smaller than the others, almost fragile in appearance. Curious, he picked it up, and immediately, the information display appeared before him.
[Spriglow(Unstable)]
Type: Grass
Gender: ?
Potential: Purple (Degraded)
Ability: ?
Level: Egg
Skills: ?
Asher's heart skipped a beat. A Purple Potential Morphix? He hadn't expected to see one, especially in a room like this. But there was something that troubled him—the word "Degraded" appeared next to its potential. Confused, Asher furrowed his brow.
"System, what does 'Degraded' mean?" he asked internally.
The system's voice responded in his mind. "This egg's potential was affected by genetic instability. It was originally a Red Potential Morphix, but due to complications during development, its potential was degraded to Purple."
Asher listened closely as the system continued. "All the eggs in this room suffer from genetic issues, which is why they were rejected. Although some eggs may still have Green or Blue potential, their development is compromised. These Morphix may struggle to level up properly, learn new skills, or perform techniques effectively. Some may not even evolve, and sadly, many have a high chance of a shorter lifespan."
Hearing this weighed heavily on Asher's heart. Just moments ago, he'd been thrilled by the potential eggs he'd found, but now he felt a pang of sadness. These eggs, so full of promise and potential, had been dealt an unfair hand through no fault of their own.
Asher gazed at the small egg in his hands, feeling an unexpected connection with it. "They didn't ask for this," he thought, his grip softening. "It's not their fault. They're just… unlucky."
Taking a deep breath, he looked around at the room full of vibrant yet flawed eggs. While his mind had been set on picking only the strongest Morphix, this experience stirred something different in him.
Quest Name:
Hope for the Unfortunate
Quest Description:
Sell 10 Morphix Eggs within a month to prove your ability as a caregiver and merchant. This will show that you can foster connections between Morphix and trainers, providing each Morphix with a chance to fulfill its purpose.
Reward:
Genetic Restoration Recipe
Reward Description:
A carefully crafted formula designed to repair genetic instability in Morphix, restoring their potential and abilities to their natural state. Can be used selectively on eggs or young Morphix.
Asher's eyes widened as he read the quest details. "Genetic Restoration Recipe?" he repeated, feeling a spark of hope ignite in his chest.
The system continued in a calm tone, "Completing this quest will provide you with the knowledge to create a genetic restoration serum. With it, you could help certain Morphix eggs regain their true potential."
A mix of excitement and determination filled him. Helping these Morphix was now more than just a passing thought,it was a real possibility. And while the task wasn't going to be easy, he was willing to take on the challenge. Selling ten Morphix eggs within a month would push him to understand the daycare's needs, connect with customers, and prove his dedication to his new role.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Asher carefully placed the tiny green-hued egg back among the pile and took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his responsibility but also the thrill of his newfound quest.
The thought of helping these Morphix eggs weighed on Asher's mind. He knew he couldn't save them all; that wasn't realistic, and he had to be smart about balancing his business with his personal mission. Still, a small spark of hope lingered as he glanced back at the purple-potential egg he'd held earlier. Perhaps he could raise a few as mascots, companions that would bring a unique charm to his daycare.
Turning to the representative, Asher spoke up, "Would it be possible for me to buy a few of these eggs?" He clarified, "I'm not planning to count them toward the 50 eggs the association is offering me, I just want a few for my daycare. They wouldn't be for sale; they'd be companions and mascots."
The representative's eyes widened in mild surprise. "It's unusual for someone to want these eggs, given their… limitations. You do know that it's illegal to sell them, right?"
Asher nodded. "Absolutely. I just think it would be nice to give a few of them a chance at a good life in the daycare. Plus, they could add some personality and be part of the daycare's identity."
After considering his request, the representative finally agreed. "We can sell you up to three of these eggs. Each batch like this already has an assigned donation area, and I can't spare more. But if we get another batch like this in the future, you're welcome to put in a request."
Asher's face lit up. Three eggs were more than he'd hoped for, and he knew they would be safe with him. "Thank you," he replied gratefully.
He then began carefully looking over the eggs, thinking about which would be the best fit. These Morphix might not have perfect potential, but they would bring something special to his daycare. He glanced at Lunabloom beside him, who seemed to sense his excitement and nudged his hand gently, as if in encouragement.
This was more than a business, it was a place where even the most overlooked Morphix could find a purpose and a home.
Asher's mind buzzed with excitement as the system reassured him about the serum's potential to fix the genetic issues in these eggs. This meant the three Morphix eggs he'd just selected wouldn't just be mascots or pets—they'd be integral parts of his daycare's family, companions to both him and Lunabloom.
The first egg, Springlow, had a unique light green hue and contained a Grass-type Morphix with a degraded purple potential, which he hoped to restore to red with the serum. It had a gentle aura, almost as if it were eager to grow into something magnificent. This one would certainly be a special addition, and he could already picture it bringing an earthy charm to the daycare.
He continued his search and found a second egg, one with a rugged, mottled texture. A scan of his insight revealed the following:
[Terrasprout(Unstable)]
Type: Grass/Rock
Gender: ?
Potential: Purple
Ability: ?
Level: Egg
Skills: ?
This egg radiated a grounded energy, something solid and dependable. With its Grass/Rock typing and purple potential, Terrasprout would likely grow into a resilient companion. Asher could imagine this Morphix becoming a gentle, sturdy presence for the younger Morphix at the daycare, something of a guardian to the rest.
The third egg caught his eye for its ethereal blue hue, light as the sky yet with a depth reminiscent of the ocean. This one, when held, revealed the following insight:
[Morphix Name]:
[Veloce (Unstable)]
Type: Flying/Water
Gender: ?
Potential: Green (Degraded)
Ability: ?
Level: Egg
Skills: ?
This Morphix's potential was degraded, but Asher knew it could still become something wonderful. Zephyrdive would likely develop into an agile, free-spirited Morphix, balancing the calm of water with the thrill of flight. It would bring a unique dynamism to the daycare, and Asher could already see it encouraging the other Morphix to explore and play.
Once he had chosen the three eggs, the representative marked them aside, promising that they, along with the 50 eggs Asher would pick from outside, would be delivered to his daycare. Asher then initiated a transfer of $60,000 to the association's account, securing the eggs at an impressively low cost given their potential. Just a single green potential egg with no issues could sell for $50,000, and a healthy purple potential egg could easily reach half a million dollars. But since all the eggs here were considered "defective," they had a flat price of $20,000 each, regardless of their potential.
With this arrangement complete, Asher couldn't help but feel both humbled and thrilled. These three Morphix would be more than just business assets,they would be family, and he was eager to bring them home, watch them grow, and build a bond that transcended any genetic flaw. The Morphix daycare was starting to take shape, and Asher could hardly wait to get back and prepare for their arrival.